Initial Design For
Twin Pavilions
Conceptual Design For
Vilano Road Development
Aerial View Of Vilano Road
Sunrise at Vilano Beach
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| In 1999, the Waterfronts Vilano Team was created under the umbrella of the North Shores Improvement Association. The team was successful in their bid for Vilano to be designated by the State of Florida as a "Waterfronts Florida Community". |
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NSIA's Visioning document created in 1998 and the Waterfronts Florida Community Designation, with funding through the National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) administered by the Florida Department of Community Affairs, have been the basis for the revitalization initiatives in this area. The vision of the Waterfronts Vilano Team is for the area to become a sustainable, pedestrian-friendly waterfront community with a town center. The creation of a mixed-use Town Center along Vilano Road will provide exploration opportunities for visitors on foot as well as providing goods and services for residents.
Vilano Beach was designated by the Florida Department of State as a Florida Main Street community in 2003. This program provides assistance with Design, Economic Restructuring, Organization, and Business Promotion and Community Promotion through events planning. Florida Main Street is part of a National Main Street Program under the National Trust for Historic Preservation and a network with 50 other Florida Main Street Communities.
The Waterfronts Vilano Team and the Town Center Main Street Group have worked diligently to acquire grant funding and private donations to aid in their efforts.
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Vilano Road Conceptual Art
Vilano Streetscape, 2008 |
Following are just a few of their accomplishments
From 1999 to 2003:
- Gateway signage and landscaping of the entrance to Vilano Town Center, 1999-2000
- Stormwater Management Plan -- grant from St. Johns River Water Management District, 1999
- Development/Approval of the North Coastal Corridor Zoning Overlay District established with a Design Review Board in place for mixed-use zoning for Town Center, commercial and multi-family construction which defines the desired community characteristics, and a Design Guidelines Brochure completed
- Growth Management Award by 1000 Friends of Florida for Visioning, 2000
- Construction of Nature Greenway Boardwalk, linking the residential area to the north with the Town Center to the south. Florida Inland Navigation District grant, 2001. Grand Opening was held in 2002.
- Town Center & Streetscape Master Plan completed with Waterfronts Florida technical assistance
- Application/receipt of a grant to build two waterfront pavilions at the pier and the beach
- Design and Permitting of two waterfront pavilions at the pier and the beach
- Vilano Pier Pavilion constructed with Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND) and Florida Coastal Management Program grants, 2001-2002
- Opening and dedication of the Beach and Fishing Pier Pavillions
- Council for a Sustainable Florida Award, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, presented by Governor Bush and his Cabinet, 2002.
- Northeast Florida Planning and Zoning Association Master Design Planning Award, 2002
- Designated by the Board of County Commissioners as a Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) with Tax Increment Financing to aid in the funding of projects for Town Center, Community Center & Surfside Park, 2002.
Since Becoming A Florida Main Street Community in 2003:
- New Comprehensive Plan land use designation – Town Center Mixed Use Development – to create a downtown with a combination of residential, commercial, recreational and community uses throughout the Town Center boundaries, 2004
- Waterfronts Business Opportunity Brochure, with Waterfronts Florida assistance
- Northeast Florida Planning and Zoning Association Design Award, 2005
- Marketing Analysis Study by Gibbs Planning Group, 2005
- Vilano Beach Town Center Overlay Code updated with architectural guidelines and a new zoning category, 2006
- Construction of Beach Pavilion with Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) Grant, 2006
- Groundbreaking Ceremony for construction of Town Center Streetscape & Infrastructure Project, 2006
- Business Recruitment Brochure and Retail Recruitment Plan from a Waterfronts Florida Program grant and the Gibbs Marketing Study updated through the Florida Coastal Management Program and Florida Department of Environmental Protection, 2007
- Purchase of Fiddler’s Green oceanfront property for a multi-use community center building with income potential and a Vilano Beach Oceanfront Park with a Florida Forever Florida Communities Trust Grant for $4.1 million of a $5.5 million purchase price, 2007
- A life size pod of 3 dolphins sculpture 27 feet across erected 20 feet over the Vilano Fishing Pier, 2007
- Party on the Pier with live music and local restaurants, November 2007
- Gateway and Bridge Landscaping planted by Florida Department of Transportation, 2008
- Merit Award for Outstanding Public Improvement from Florida Main Street, 2008
- “Spruce Up” Forum and “Land Development Code” Forum held to help business and property owners improve their street front image and prepare for redevelopment.
- Downtown Redevelopment Director of Delray Beach conducted a three day workshop to help plan for future events and business recruitment, 2008
- Fourth of July Main Street Parade held, 2008
- Haley’s Motor Court sign restored and installed on Main Street as public art, 2008
- Completion of Streetscape & Infrastructure Project, October 2008
Awards & Milestones:
The Vilano Beach Town Center Project has been the recipient of several regional planning awards, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Sustainable Florida Award, and a Merit Award given by the Secretary of State from Florida Main Street for Outstanding Public Improvement for its Town Center Streetscape. The project has received over $5 million in grants for public improvements, including $4.1 million from the Florida Forever Florida Communities Trust to purchase the historic Fiddler’s Green property on the ocean end of the Town Center to be used as an oceanfront park, community and special events center for permanent public use, sea turtle nesting center, and waterfront access.
The Vilano Beach Town Center Streetscape Completion Celebration on October 17, 2008 was attended by our County Commissioners, Congressman Mica, and many other dignitaries, local residents, sponsors and volunteers, many of whom were recognized for their contributions to the project. After the ribbon-cutting cermemony, food and beverages supplied by local restaurants were enjoyed by all.
Current Plans:
It's time to get down to business. The next step in Vilano's future is economic development for the business community. Plans are underway for Vilano's bright future as a place where locals convene to shop and dine, and a unique tourist destination.
Thanks!
The Vilano Beach Citizen Government Partnership wishes to thank the following for their contributions to our efforts:
St. Johns County - Board of County Commissioners, Growth Management and Planning, Parks and Recreation, and Public Works
State of Florida - Department of Community Affairs, 1000 Friends of Florida, and Waterfronts Florida, Department of State and Department of Environmental Protection
Federal - NOAA (National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration), U.S Representative John Mica
Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU) and the 20 students who developed and designed alternatives for the proposed Town Center
St. Johns River Water Management
The many individuals and businesses who have donated time, money and ideas
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